Cylinder tote

ABSTRACT

A cylinder tote for carrying a compressed gas cylinder of the type having a flangeless neck and a valve assembly mounted atop thereof includes a handle member having a first end and an open-ended opposite end, a yoke member having a second end and an open-ended third end, the third end including a pair of legs adapted to support the valve assembly, and an intermediate member disposed between and connecting the first end of the handle member and the second end of the yoke member wherein, when the yoke member is disposed on and engages the valve assembly disposed atop the compressed gas cylinder, the cylinder tote may be used to transport the compressed gas cylinder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, compressed gas cylinders are manually carried by grasping thevalve assembly and/or the canister itself. However, these cylindricalcontainers are generally large and awkward and as such, transportationof the canisters in this fashion limits both the distance and the numberof cylinders that can be safely transported by a person. Moreover, theresulting stresses on the carriers arms, and especially the fingers,significantly limits the distance over which a person can carry such acanister. In addition, if to much stress is applied to the valveassembly during transportation, the cylinder itself may be damaged. Assuch, transportation of these compressed gas cylinders frequentlyresults in personal injury and/or damage to the gas cylinder itself.Further yet, it is not uncommon for injury to occur to people orproperty that are in proximity to these cylinders, due to the difficultyof controlling the cylinder during transportation.

Heretofore, prior art devices for carrying compressed gas cylinders havetypically been large, and therefore cumbersome to use. Additionally,many of these prior art devices have required the use of some form ofstrap or strapping, which is mounted or otherwise attached to thecompressed gas cylinder, in order to utilize the carrier. As such, theseprior art devices make the attachment of these carrying tools cumbersomeand time-consuming.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved compressed gas cylindercarrier which is, among other things, easy-to-use, has the ability to beinstalled and removed quickly, and makes the transportation of the thesecompressed gas cylinders safe, easy, and secure, while allowing thesecylinders to be transported with less effort.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The aforementioned drawbacks and disadvantages of these prior artcompressed gas cylinders carriers have been identified and a solution isset forth herein by the inventive cylinder tote which includes acylinder tote for carrying a compressed gas cylinder of the type havinga flangeless neck and a valve assembly mounted atop thereof. Thecylinder tote includes a handle member having a first end and anopen-ended opposite end, and a yoke member. The yoke member has a secondend, and an open-ended third end, wherein the third end includes a pairof legs which are adapted to support the valve assembly of thecompressed gas cylinder when engaged thereon. Also included is anintermediate member which is disposed between and connects the first endof the handle member and the second end of the yoke member, wherein whenthe yoke member is disposed on and engages the valve assembly disposedatop the compressed gas cylinder, the cylinder tote may be used totransport the compressed gas cylinder.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cylinder tote for carryinga compressed gas cylinder of the type having a flangeless neck and avalve assembly mounted atop thereof includes a handle member having afirst end and an open-ended opposite end. A yoke member is also includedand is adapted to engage the valve assembly of a compressed gascylinder, of the type having a flangeless neck and a valve assemblymounted atop thereof, wherein the yoke member has a second end and anopen-ended third end. Also included is an intermediate member which isdisposed between and connects the first end of the handle member and thesecond end of the yoke member, wherein when the yoke member is disposedon and engages the valve assembly disposed atop the compressed gascylinder, the cylinder tote may be used to transport the compressed gascylinder having a flangeless neck.

And still in another aspect of the present invention, a personalcylinder tote for carrying a compressed gas cylinder of the type havinga flangeless neck and a valve assembly mounted atop thereof comprises ahandle member having a first end and an open-ended opposite end. A yokemember is also included, wherein the yoke member has a second end and agenerally U-shaped open-ended third end wherein further, the third endincludes a pair of substantially planar legs adapted to support thevalve assembly of the compressed gas cylinder when engaged thereon. Alsoincluded is a substantially planar intermediate member, the intermediatemember is disposed between and connects the first end of the handlemember and the second end of the yoke member in a substantially parallelrelationship, and extends relatively perpendicular thereto, wherein whenthe yoke member is disposed on and engages a portion of the valveassembly disposed atop the compressed gas cylinder, the cylinder totemay be used to transport the compressed gas cylinder.

In yet another aspect of the present invention a method for carrying acompressed gas cylinder of the type having a flangeless neck and a valveassembly mounted atop thereof includes providing a cylinder toteincluding: a handle member having a first end and an open-ended oppositeend; a yoke member adapted to engage the valve assembly of a compressedgas cylinder of the type having a flangeless neck and a valve assemblymounted atop thereof, the yoke member having a second end and anopen-ended third end; an intermediate member, the intermediate memberdisposed between and connecting the first end of the handle member andthe second end of the yoke member; engaging the cylinder tote with thevalve assembly disposed atop the compressed gas cylinder; lifting thecylinder with the cylinder tote; and moving the compressed gas cylinderfrom one location to another by suspending the compressed gas cylinderfrom the yoke member of the cylinder tote.

Other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will becomeapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The above briefdescription sets forth rather broadly the more important features of thepresent disclosure so that the detailed description that follows may bebetter understood, and so that the present contributions to the art maybe better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of thedisclosures that will be described hereinafter which will form thesubject matter of the claims.

In this respect, before explaining the preferred embodiment of thedisclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notlimited in its application to the details of the construction and thearrangement set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The cylinder tote of the present disclosure is capable ofother embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in variousways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for description and not limitation. Where specificdimensional and material specifications have been included or omittedfrom the specification or the claims, or both, it is to be understoodthat the same are not to be incorporated into the claims.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be used as a basis fordesigning other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,that the claims are regarded as including such equivalent constructionsas far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers, and practioners in the art who are not familiarwith the patent or legal terms of phraseology, to learn quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essences of the technical disclosureof the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is intended to defineneither the invention nor the application, which is only measured by theclaims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of theinvention in any way.

These and other objects, along with the various features, and structuresthat characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity inthe claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For abetter understanding of the cylinder tote of the present disclosure, itsadvantageous and the specific objects attained by its uses, referenceshould be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich there are illustrated and described the preferred embodiments ofthe invention.

While embodiments of the cylinder tote are herein illustrated anddescribed, it is to be appreciated that various changes, rearrangements,and modifications maybe made therein, without departing from the scopeof the invention as defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the cylinder tote of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the cylinder tote of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the cylinder tote of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the cylinder tote of FIG. 1 installed ona compressed gas cylinder in an pre-use state; and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the cylinder tote of FIG. 1 installed ona compressed gas cylinder in a ready-to-use state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The best mode for caring out the invention is presented in terms of thepreferred embodiment, wherein similar referenced characters designatecorresponding features throughout the several figures of the drawings.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper” “lower” “right”“left” “rear”“front” “vertical” “horizontal” and derivatives thereof,shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is tobe understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings and described in the followingspecification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, these same referenced numeralswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.The dimensions illustrated in the drawings (if provided) are includedfor purposes of example only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe present invention. Additionally, particular details in the drawingswhich are illustrated in hidden or dashed lines are to be considered asforming no part of the present invention.

As used herein, the term compressed gas cylinder, is meant to refer tocylinders, bottles, tanks, and other storage devices that are typicallyutilized for storing compressed gasses or compressed fluids. Thesecylinders typically will have a cylindrical tank that forms down to aflangeless neck at the top, wherein a valve assembly is attached atopthereof. The typical valve assembly will have at least one outlet, oneor more pressure relief valves, and a control lever or knob. Thesecylinders are utilized extensively to store, transport and supplyvarious gasses and fluids for use in numerous industries. Of course,this is not meant to be limiting in any manner and these cylinders mayhave numerous other configurations, and may be used for any purposes asis generally known within the art.

Typically compressed gas cylinders are carried manually by grasping thevalve assembly and/or the canister itself. These cylindrical containersare generally large and awkward, and transportation of the canisters inthis fashion limits both the distance and the number of cylinders thatcan be transported by a person. Additionally, the resulting stresses onthe arms of the person, and the fingers in particular, significantlylimits the distance over which a person may carry the canister. This isfurther exacerbated when the canister is being carried long distances.As such, transportation of these compressed gas cylinders frequentlyresults in personal injury and/or damage to the gas cylinder itself.Further yet, it is not uncommon for injury to occur to persons orproperty that are in proximity to these cylinders, due to the difficultyof controlling the cylinder during transportation.

Heretofore, prior art devices for carrying compressed gas cylinders havetypically been large, and therefore cumbersome to use. Additionally,many of these prior art devices have required the use of some form ofstrap or strapping, which is mounted or otherwise attached to thecompressed gas cylinder, in order to utilize the carrier. As such, theseprior art devices make the attachment of these carrying tools cumbersomeand time-consuming.

The disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art are overcome throughthe cylinder tote of the present invention, wherein one preferredembodiment is disclosed in FIGS. 1-5. Referring now to FIG. 1, there isshown a cylinder tote 2 for carrying a compressed gas cylinder 4 of thetype having a flangeless neck 5 and a valve assembly 6 mounted atopthereof. Cylinder tote 2 includes a handle member 20 having a first end21 and an open-ended opposite end 22. The tote 2 also includes a yokemember 30 which is adapted to engage valve assembly 6. The yoke member30 includes a second end 31 and an open-ended third end 32. Anintermediate member 40 is disposed between and connects first end 21 ofhandle member 20 and second end 31 of yoke member 30, wherein when yokemember 30 is disposed on and engages valve assembly 6 disposed atopcompressed gas cylinder 4, cylinder tote 2 may be used to transportcompressed gas cylinder 4 having a flangeless neck 5.

Handle member 20 is handled or gripped by an individual to carrycylinder 4 from one location to another, as described in more detailhereinafter. Handle 20 includes a first end 21 and an open-endedopposite end 22. As illustrated, one preferred embodiment of tote 2includes a grip disposed on and around handle 20 (FIG. 2). Grip 24 isutilized to increase the comfort of handle 20 by reducing the stresseson a users hand when transporting a cylinder, as well as increasing theassociated grip of a user.

The specific configurations and features of handle member 20 may varyaccording to specific requirements. In one preferred embodiment, handlemember 20 is generally tubular in shape and is fabricated from ⅛^(th)inch steel. However, the shape of handle member 20 may vary according tospecific requirements, and need not be tubular. Further, although onepreferred embodiment of handle member 20 is fabricated from steel, otherridged materials may be used. For example, handle member 20 may befabricated from other metals, such as aluminum, or molded from a plasticmaterial.

Yoke member 30 is adapted to engage valve assembly 6, includes a secondend 31, and an open-ended third end 32 (FIG. 3) which includes legs 34and 35. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, one preferred embodiment of yoke30 includes legs 34 and 35 which are separated by an arcuate orgenerally U-shaped bridging portion 36, and are disposed generallyparallel to one another. Legs 34 and 35 are formed to engage valveassembly 6, mounted atop the flangeless neck 5 of cylinder 4 (seegenerally FIGS. 4 and 5). By engaging valve assembly 6, tote 2 can thenbe used to transport cylinder 4. Engagement is accomplished byfabricating third end 31 to either, engage and support valve assembly 6by having legs 34 and 35 engage underneath one of outlet port 7 andpressure relief port 8 or, by having legs 34 and 35 engage underneathvalve nut 9. In either case, after engagement of legs 34 and 35, tote 2can be used to easily lift, support and carry cylinder 4 from onelocation to another. Engagement is accomplished by simply sliding legs34 and 35 underneath the respective ports 7 and 8, or nut 9. Hence avery quick, yet secure method of attaching tote 2 to cylinder 4 has beeninvented. In one preferred embodiment, legs 34 and 35 are formed to havea length L at least 1.5 times as long as the inside width W of bridgingportion 36, thereby allowing tote 2 to securely hold cylinder 4.Additionally, yoke 30, and/or legs 34 and 35, may be sloped upwardly toassist in the retention of valve assembly 6 during transportation.

The specific configurations and features of yoke member 30 may varyaccording to specific requirements. In one preferred embodiment, yokemember 30 is generally rectangular in shape and is fabricated from⅛^(th) inch steel by a stamping or cutting operation. However, the shapeof yoke member 30 may vary according to specific requirements and neednot be rectangular. Further, although one preferred embodiment of yokemember 30 is fabricated from steel, other ridged materials andfabrication methods may be used. For example, yoke member 30 may befabricated from other metals, such as aluminum, or molded from a plasticmaterial. In addition, although this particular embodiment of yokemember 30 is fabricated by stamping or cutting, numerous otherfabrications techniques may be used that are well known in the art.

Intermediate member 40 is disposed between and connects first end 21 ofhandle member 20, and second end 31 of yoke member 30. Although numerousconfigurations may be employed, in one preferred embodiment,intermediate member 40 is disposed between and connects first end 21with second end 31, such that handle member 20 and yoke member 30 aremaintained in a substantially parallel relationship. In yet anotherembodiment, intermediate member 40 is planer or generally flat and isdisposed between and connects first end 21 and second end 31 such thatintermediate member 40 extends relatively perpendicular between handlemember 20 and yoke member 30. As illustrated, intermediate member 40 isfabricated to extend relatively perpendicular between handle member 20and yoke member 30, as well as maintain them in a substantially parallelrelationship. Additionally, a portion of intermediate member 40, theportion adjacent first end 21, may include side surfaces 42 and 43 thatare tapered.

The specific configurations and features of intermediate member 40 mayvary according to specific requirements. In one preferred embodiment,intermediate member 40 is generally rectangular in shape and isfabricated from ⅛^(th) inch steel by a stamping or cutting operation.However, the shape of intermediate member 40 may vary according tospecific requirements, and need not be rectangular. Further, althoughone preferred embodiment of intermediate member 40 is fabricated fromsteel, other ridged materials and fabrication methods may be used. Forexample, yoke member 30 may be fabricated from other metals, such asaluminum, or molded from a plastic material. In addition, although thisparticular embodiment of yoke member 30 is fabricated by stamping orcutting, numerous other fabrications techniques may be used that arewell known in the art.

As illustrated, one preferred embodiment of cylinder tote 2 isfabricated into a one-piece configuration from ⅛^(th) inch steel by astamping or cutting operation, wherein intermediate member 40 is bent toextend relatively perpendicular to yoke member 30. Handle member 20 isthen welded or otherwise attached at the opposite end of intermediatemember 40, such that handle member 20 and yoke member 30 are oriented ina substantially parallel relationship. However, although this particularembodiment of tote 2 is fabricated into a one-piece configuration,multiple pieces can be utilized, and assembled in various manners suchas by fasteners, welding, and other techniques well known in the art.Additionally, in one preferred embodiment, a bottom 46 of handle member40 is disposed at least 4 inches above a top 38 of yoke member 30 (FIG.2).

While one preferred embodiment has been described, the specificcharacteristics of cylinder tote 2 may vary according to the specificrequirements of the end user. Although one preferred embodiment utilizesa one-piece construction, cylinder tote 2 may be fabricated fromnumerous parts. In addition, cylinder tote 2 may be fabricated bynumerous other methods such as machining or molding, and may also befabricated from numerous materials other then sheet metal, the primecharacteristic being the material's ability to support a compressed gascylinder thereon.

By fabricating cylinder tote 2 from sheet steel utilizing stamping,folding and welding operations, a very economical cylinder tote has beendeveloped which is simple, and yet very strong. In addition, cylindertote 2 may be further enhanced by utilizing various finishes to providea durable and protective finish. Further, a rubberized coating may bedisposed on various parts of cylinder tote 2 to protect the valveassembly as well as increase grip.

As best illustrated by FIG. 4, cylinder tote 2 may be used to carry ortransport compressed gas cylinders via legs 34 and 35 which are formedto engage valve assembly 6 mounted atop the flangeless neck 5 ofcylinder 4. Engagement is easily accomplished via two preferred methods.The first is to fabricate third end 31 such that the distance W betweenlegs 34 and 35 is less than the outside dimension from outlet port 7, topressure relief port 8. As such, each leg 34 and 35 may be slidunderneath one of each, outlet port 7 or pressure relief port 8, so thatwhen cylinder tote 2 is lifted upwardly, cylinder 4 is supported bycylinder tote 2 via legs 34 and 35. Another preferred embodimentsupports cylinder 4 by fabricating legs 34 and 35 such that the distanceW between them is less than the outside dimension of valve nut 9. Assuch, each leg 34 and 35 may be slid underneath an edge of valve nut 9,so that when cylinder tote 2 is lifted upwardly, cylinder 4 is supportedthereby. In another preferred embodiment, legs 34 and 35 are formed tohave a length L at least 1.5 times as long as the inside width W ofbridging portion 36, thereby allowing tote 2 to securely hold cylinder 4while discouraging cylinder 4 from slipping off. Hence a very quick, yetsecure, method of attaching tote 2 to cylinder 4 has been invented.

Advantageously, the cylinder tote 2 of the present invention isefficiently fabricated while being engineered to support heavy loads.Consequently, the embodiments of the preferred invention disclosedherein reveal a compressed gas cylinder tote which is easy to use,inexpensive to fabricate, robust, and can prevent injury to persons whocarry these cylinders, as well as prevent damage to the cylindersthemselves.

The solutions offered by the invention herein have thus been attained inan economical, practical, and facile manner. To whit, a novel cylindertote which is cost effective, easily installed, strong, andaesthetically pleasing has been invented. While preferred embodimentsand example configurations of the inventions have been hereinillustrated, shown, and described, it is to be appreciated that variouschanges, rearrangements, and modifications may be made therein, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Itis intended that the specific embodiments and configurations disclosedherein are illustrative of the preferred and best modes for practicingthe invention, and should not be interpreted as limitations on the scopeof the invention as defined by the claims, and it is to appreciated thatvarious changes, rearrangements, and modifications may be made therein,without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by theclaims.

1. A cylinder tote for carrying a compressed gas cylinder of the typehaving a flangeless neck and a valve assembly mounted atop thereof, thecylinder tote comprising: a handle member having a first end and anopen-ended opposite end; a yoke member, the yoke member having a secondend and an open-ended third end, the third end including a pair of legsadapted to support the valve assembly of the compressed gas cylinderwhen engaged thereon; an intermediate member, the intermediate memberdisposed between and connecting the first end of the handle member andthe second end of the yoke member, such that the handle member and theyoke member are disposed relatively parallel to one another; whereinwhen the yoke member is disposed on and engages the valve assemblydisposed atop the compressed gas cylinder, the cylinder tote may be usedto transport the compressed gas cylinder.
 2. The cylinder tote accordingto claim 1, wherein: a bottom of the handle member is disposed at least4 inches above a top of the yoke member.
 3. The cylinder tote accordingto claim 1, wherein: the handle member further includes a hand gripdisposed thereon.
 4. The cylinder tote according to claim 1, wherein:the open-ended third end of the yoke member is generally U-shaped. 5.The cylinder tote according to claim 1, wherein: the third end of theyoke member is formed to be disposed beneath a nut of the valve assemblyso that the cylinder may be supported thereby.
 6. The cylinder toteaccording to claim 1, wherein: the third end of the yoke member isformed to engage both, an outlet port and a pressure relief port of thevalve assembly, so that the cylinder may be supported thereby.
 7. Thecylinder tote according to clam 1, wherein: the intermediate member isdisposed between and connects the first end of the handle member and thesecond end of the yoke member in a substantially parallel relationship.8. A cylinder tote for carrying a compressed gas cylinder of the typehaving a flangeless neck and a valve assembly mounted atop thereof, thecylinder tote comprising: a handle member having a first end and anopen-ended opposite end; a yoke member, the yoke member having a secondend and an open-ended third end, the third end including a pair of legsadapted to support the valve assembly of the compressed gas cylinderwhen engaged thereon; an intermediate member, the intermediate memberdisposed between and connecting the first end of the handle member andthe second end of the yoke member; wherein when the yoke member isdisposed on and engages the valve assembly disposed atop the compressedgas cylinder, the cylinder tote may be used to transport the compressedgas cylinder; and the intermediate member disposed between andconnecting the first end of the handle member and the second end of theyoke member is substantially planar and extends relatively perpendiculartherebetween.
 9. The cylinder tote according to claim 1, wherein: aportion of the intermediate member which is adjacent the first end ofthe handle member includes sides surfaces that are tapered.
 10. Thecylinder tote according to claim 1, wherein: the handle member, the yokemember and the intermediate member are integrally formed. 11-14.(canceled)
 15. A cylinder tote for carrying a compressed gas cylinder ofthe type having a flangeless neck and a valve assembly mounted atopthereof, the cylinder tote comprising: a handle member having a firstend and an open-ended opposite end; a yoke member adapted to engage thevalve assembly of a compressed gas cylinder of the type having aflangeless neck and a valve assembly mounted atop thereof, the yokemember having second end and an open-ended third end; an intermediatemember, the intermediate member disposed between and connecting thefirst end of the handle and the second end of the yoke member; whereinwhen the yoke member is disposed on and engages the valve assemblydisposed atop the compressed gas cylinder, the cylinder tote may be usedto transport the compressed gas cylinder having a flangeless neck; andthe intermediate member disposed between and connecting the first end ofthe handle member and the second end of the yoke member is substantiallyplanar and extends relatively perpendicular therebetween.
 16. A personalcylinder tote for carrying a compressed gas cylinder of the type havinga flangeless neck and a valve assembly mounted atop thereof, thecylinder tote comprising: a handle member having a first end and anopen-ended opposite end; a yoke member, the yoke member having a secondend and a generally U-shaped open-ended third end, the third endincluding a pair of substantially planar legs adapted to support thevalve assembly of the compressed gas cylinder when engaged thereon; asubstantially planar intermediate member, the intermediate memberdisposed between and Connecting the first end of the handle member andthe second end of the yoke member in a substantially parallelrelationship, and extending relatively perpendicular thereto; whereinwhen the yoke member is disposed on and engages a portion of the valveassembly disposed atop the compressed gas cylinder, the cylinder totebay be used to transport the compressed gas cylinder.
 17. The cylindertote according to claim 16, wherein: the third end of the yoke member isformed to be disposed beneath the nut of the valve assembly so that thecylinder may be supported thereby.
 18. The cylinder tote according toclaim 16, wherein: the third end of the yoke member is formed to engageboth an outlet port and the pressure relief port of the valve assemblyso that the cylinder may be supported thereby.
 19. The cylinder toteaccording to claim 16, wherein: the pair of legs are separated by andbridging portion and are disposed generally parallel to one another;wherein the legs have a length at least 1.5 times as long as an insidewidth of the bridging portion, so as to securely hold the compressed gascylinder of the type having a flangeless narrow neck.
 20. (canceled)